Automatic butter forming and cutting machine



Allg 23, 1932- c.' DOERING ET Al.y 1,873,311

AUTOMATIC BUTTER FORMING AND CUTTING MACHIN Filed Aug. 11, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l QQ m N mi

Aug. Z3, 1932. c. DoERlNG ET AL AUTOMATIC BUTTER FORMNG AND CUTTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1.1. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 C. DOERING ET AL AUTOMATIC BUTTERFORMING AND CUTTING MACHINE Aug. 23, 1932.

Filed Aug. 11. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 L w d /l y l n 1/ M 7 i Ww wwf Rij. A www y Patented Aug. 23, 1932 uniiansraras CIIARLEs nonnina nim IInNnY II. ncnniiiafior CiIICAdo,v ILLINOIS AUTOMATIC BUTTER, ront/iin@ 'ANnCIITTIiiG ivIACiIINii Application i'iledfiugust 1l, 1930. EeialNo. 474,334. .p

Our invention relates to a butter forming l machine whereby the butter is formed into Aa ribbon of prearranged dimensions, the formed butter or ribbon being discharged along a run-way or race-way and the formed butter or ribbon causedto actuate certain means whereby cutting mechanism is automatically actuated and the ribbon of butter cut.

The particular type of machine illustrated in the drawings is especially intended for use in connection with a separate butter Wrapping machine wherein the formed ribbon of butter is cut into predetermined sizes or prints; althoughit is apparent that our invention may be employed in conjunction with a machine adapted to initially cutjthe formed butter into prints oi the desired size.

provision of means whereby the flowfo'a heating medium to the spiral worms and to the forming head of the machine will be automatically controlled by the passage of the ribbon of butter along the runway.A f Y Specifically stated, our invention relates to an electrically operatedmachine wherein the spiral worms which force. the butter through the forming head are drivenby an electric motor; the valve in the heating 'medium supply line is controlled by a solenoid, and the cutting mechanism is also actuated by a solenoid; the motor and solenoids being arranged in an electric circuit involving switch mechanism which isV adapted to becontrolled by the means actuated bythe ribbon of butter passing along the run-way whereby current to the motor is shut off and the solenoids energized so as to actuate the valve and the cutting mechanism. rlhe object of the invention is to provide an automatically controlled Inachine.l

The objects and advantages of our invention will be comprehended `from the detailed descriptionof the accompanying drawings,

wherein- A i l 4Figure l is a side elevation of abutter forming and cutting machine provided with our invention; with certain portions being shown in sectiorn y f,

A Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

v y position. The invention Aalso has 'for its object thc Figure 3 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the buttei-iaceway orrun-waypwith the control means-for controlling thebutter cutting mechanism; the figure illustrating the mechanism in normal position prior to contact of butter therewith. Y l

Figure 4. is a similar view `illustrating aV ribbon of butter incontact with said control 'i loolriiig'in the direction of 4the arrows and showing. the cutting mechanism in normal VFigure 6 isa siinilarview illustrating the cutting mechanism at the completion of the butter cutting operation.

Figure 7 is a-detail sectional view taken vsubstantially on the line .7 7 of Figure. 5 looking inthe direction of thel arrows.

i Figure 8 is a detail sectional view talren i substantially oni the line S-Sof Figure 'l' il'- lustrating one `olf-the butter `ribbon guide members. Y -Y Our invention, aseiiempliiied in theV drawings, has been'shown applied to a butterforniing machine which is more especially intended-for forming thebutter into ribbon .form of predetermined dimensions and the ribbon to be delivered to a race-way or runway whereby the cut ribbons of butter are to be delivered Ato `a wrapping machine which is usually"provided with al print cutting mechanism. Y' Y That is to say, our invention as shown in thedrawings is applied toa machine wherein the ribbon of butter is discharged and this ribbon vperiodically severed into predetermined lengthsso as'to permit an easier handling thereof on the wrapping machine.

' `f The machine is illustrated in the drawings as; an electrically operated machine and comprises a suitable standard:y or supporting frame Qadapted to support a suitable electric i motor, as at l1, the armature shaft whereof" is provided with a suitable coupling, as at 12,

wherebyV connection with the reduction gearing mounted in housing 13 is madeythe reduction gearing inturn being operatively connected with the spindle of a spiral worm 14 whose spindle is provided with suitable gearing meshing with the spindle of companion spiral wormr15 so as to causethe two worms to rotate toward .each other. TheseV l Y worms are mounted in a suitable casing 16 in the manner usual in print-forming machines; the casing 16 being provided with a receiving hopper or .opening vas at V17";tol receive the chunks of butter which are usually delivered .thereto by means of a chute from a point or y floor above.

' The casing 16,v at thedelivery end, ispro Vvided with a butter forming head'18 having ran adjustable throat controlled by the'adj ustable mechanism indicated at 19 whereby the dimensionsor thickness of the ribbon may be controlled or regulated,

The spiral worms 14 and-15,A aswell as the forming head 18, are chambered to permit the circulation of a heating medium therethrough whichV is supplied bymeans of supply line shown in dotted lines at 20 coming Vfrom a suitable sourcek of hotV water supply; the supply line 2O being provided with `a suitablev mediumr to circulate through the chambers inthe' walls thereof andrto discharge throughv pipe26 which connects with outlet pipe 24.

The portions of the machine as thus far described are similar to butter forming machines heretofore made and shown in some of applicants prior patents and thereforeare.

not now entered into, as the constructionof said portions, except as to ktheir relation to the other features of the machine, forms no part of the present invention'which relates to an automaticallyoperatedmachine and more specificallyto an .electrically operated and controlled machine. Y Y

The delivery end of the machine is prod' vided with a butter run-way or race-way at 27 which consists of suitable side frame mem bers orangleironsf28, as shown in Figure 8, Y

disposed lengthwise on opposite sides of the race-way, and which in turn are formedl to receive the `trunnions of suitable rollers 29 arranged'in slight spaced relation throughout the length of the run-way.

At the butter Aforming head end of the race-way, the supporting frame is provided with suitablebrackets, as at 30, whichl permanently support a pair of guide rods 31 ary 35 whose upper end is disposed througha hole 36 in the end of arm 33 and the cutting` l Vwire 35 held taut by means of wing-nut 37. 'f

The bottom of the cutter vframe 32 is provided with a foot portion 38, the opposite sides whereof are slidably mounted on 'the rods 31 and this foot portion has a pull rod 39 operatively connected thereto. Y

The pull rod 39 passes through astufing' boX 40 secured to the side of the housing 41 K which is arranged at one side of the run-way. The pull rod 39 has al swiveled connection at 42 with a lever 43 located in housing 41. The bottom of lever 43 is fulcrumed at 44 on a suitable` bracket 45. l The lever 43, interme-V` diate of its ends, is pivotally connected at 46 to a link 47 which, in turn, is pivotally connected with the core of a solenoid 48 which vis of well known type.

The inner end of the :pull rod 39-"slidesy with 'which the upper endv of the lever V'43 g contacts during its oscillatory movements;

the bumper mechanism 51, at the outer end ofthe bracket 49, Vbeingpreferably shown adjustable by means of the threaded v52 and lock nuts 53 to permit proper positioning of the outer bumper 51 relative to the stroke of lever 43.

Energization ofthe solenoid 48 will dra-w lever 43 toward it and thereby pull the pull rod 39 into the casing51 vcausing the cutting frame and cutting wire to move transversely of the run-way. The lever 43 as well as pull rod- 39, after solenoid 48k is deenergized,`are drawn or moved back to the normal position shown in Figure 5 through the action of spring 54 which is secured by means of rod 55 pivotally connected to the lever 43 at56;

the springY being held in place by the regulable rod 55a which controls spring tension;

The pull rod 39 is preferably secured substantially along the longitudinal center line of the cutting mechanism or frame 32 and causes the cutting frame 32 to be drawn from zthe non-cutting position shown in Figure 5 transversely of the butter ribbon run-way into the completed butter cut position shown Y in Figure 6.

The race-Way at points coincident with the cutting'mechani'sm is provided with butter guiding mechanism consisting ofthe upwardly disposed arms 57 which are preferably i l. provided with wood blocks 58; these guide spindle Y members, adj acent4v to the cutting mechanism, being preferably arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the run-wayin slight spaced relation to permit the cutting wire to pass between the blocks 58 of each pair of guide members.-

The run-way 27, at any suitable point, preferably in proximity to the outer end thereof, is provided with a roller 60 mounted substantiallyin the plane of the rollers 29 of the run-way in order that it may be engaged by the ribbon of butter, indicated at A inV Figures 3 and 4, passing along the run-way. The roller 60 is trunnioned in the upturned end of a lever 61 which is pivoted at 62 to Va suitable bracket 63 secured to the bottom of the angle irons 28 of the run-way; with the free end of the lever 61 provided with a counterweight 62a which is adjustably mounted on the lever. In order to properly guide the roller 60 in its vertical oscillatory movements, the side frame members 28 of the run-way are preferably slotted at 64 to receive the ends of the trunnions of theV roller. a set-screw 65 whereby adjustment or regulation of the vertical oscillatory movement of The lever 61 is shown provided with lever 61 and roller 60 may be regulated.

The lever 61 is provided with a depending short arm 66 to which is pivotally connected 'the run-way 27, the forward end thereof will engage with roller 60 causing the latter to be depressed and maintained in depressed condition until the entire butter strip A has passed over same. As the roller 61 is depressed and lever 61 oscillated, the current to the motor 11 will be shut .olf and throu h the medium of limit switch 69 will cause t e solenoid 48 to be energized which in turn will actuate the vcutting mechanism by pulling lever 43 toward the `right in Figure 5, namely into the position shown in Figure 6 which induces the cutting mechanism, namely the cutting wire 35 to pass transversely of the path of the butter thereby severing the same into predetermined lengths. As

soon as the cut strip of butter has passed v over roller 60, the latter will again return to normal position by reason of counterweight 62 and through the movement of lever 61 actuating the limit switch 69 so as to `cut off current to solenoid 48, while allowing current to flow to motor 11 which sets the machine in operation again.

As previouslystat'ed, the spiral worms'in Y fore described.

The supply line 20 of the water conveying system is .provided with suitable valve 21V butter forming portion of the machineV is in operation. The solenoid 70 causes thelever 72 to tilt about its fulcrum pointV shown in dotted lines aty 74, therebyopening valve'` 21 f v Y and allowing the heated medium to flow through supply pipe 20. As soon as the current has been shut olf to motor 11 and to` solenoid 70 through the actuation of limit switch 69, the counterweight 73 on lever 72 will cause t valve 21 to close and shut olf the inflow of the heating medium. y l

The run-'way at suitablerpoints lengthwise thereof is also provided with butter lguiding rollers 75 mounted on verticallydisposed pins 76, see Figure 8, whose lower ends are secured in suitable brackets 77 secured to the angle irons 28 of the run-way. -These guide rollers 75 prevent the long Vstrips of butter `from moving laterally offthe run-way.

' As the solenoids and the switch mechanism are of well known construction specific illusnecessary. Y

These elements are arranged vin an electric circuit so that operation of the switch Yby the downward movement. of lever 61 will'interrupt flow of current to motor 11 and solenoid 7 0 allow flow of current to solenoid 48; while the upwardy movement of the roller carrying endof lever 61 (through action of counterweight 62) will induce the opposite effect on the current flow.

The invention has been shown in whatv -is believed to be the best embodiment thereof and has been describedin terms employed merely as terms of description and-not 'as' terms of limitation, as structural modifications are possible and may be madewithout, however, departing from the spirit -ofour invention.` y

What we claim is: f 1. InanV automatic butterforming and cutting machine having chambered. spiral worms and a chambered forming head, `an electric motor for operating said worms,vheating'fmer I dium conveying conduits leading -toA the worms and. forming head and provided with a shut-off valve, an-'electric circuit,forsaid` motor, arun-way for! receiving theformed ico v p tration and description thereof is not deemed ribbon of butter from-thelforining head, and

n kcutter mechanism? arranged to travel trans- VYtically disposed lever.

versely of l,the run-way,vin combination with Y.a lever .pivoted intermediate oi: its ends beneath lsaid'runway, one end of the lever being provided with a roller disposed into the "path of the ribbon of butter moving along Vthe vrun-Way While the other end oi the lever isV provided with an adjustable counter- 'Weight; limit switch mechanism arranged in the electric circuit' a connectin` rod interd 7 t3 rmediatelrofsaid lever and said switch mechanism; a vertically disposed lever pivotally Vmounted at one end and operativelyconnect-- ed at'tlie -otherend vwith said cutting mechanism, said vertical lever having a. spring for returning same to normal position; a

solenoid arranged insaid electric circuit and adapted to Vactuate said vertically disposed 'lever' and cause the cutter mechanism to move through cutting operation; a pivoted lever for controlling said shut-off valve; a solenoid` -arranged in said circuit and for'r controlling said last lever, whereby tilting of the first mentioned lever by the butter ino'vin' along the 'run-way actuates said limitswitch mechanism interrupting the circuit to the motor and vto the shut-oil valve controlling `solenoid and admits current to thesolenoid of the ver- 2. vIn anv automatic butter cutting and forming machine whereby butter is formed into'a ribbon and provided with an electric Vmotor for operating the forming machine, an

electric circuit for the motor involving switch mechanism, .a `run-way for receiving the Yformed ribbon of butter,.and cutting mechanism-adopted. to reciprocate trfnsv Vrsely oi' theV run-Way; the combination of. a pivoted spring-controlled lever operatively connected .with thecutting mechanism.; a solenoidv for moving said lever against the action of its spring andarranged in said electric circuit;

; a horizontally disposed counterbalanced lever tiltably mounted intermediate of its ends beneath said. run-Way with one end provided v.with a roller arranged to extend into the path ofthe ribbon of butter moving along the run- Way so as to be depressed thereby,lsaid lever having operative connection with said switch mechanism whereby tilting of, ythe second Ymentioned lever by the ribbon'vof butter in the run-swaywill operate said switch mechanism. so as to shut 0E current tothe motor and cause Vsaid rsolenoid to be energized and said iist lmentioned lever to be actuatediagainst its spring and the cutting mechanism moved v through butter cutting operation.

3. In an automatic butter forming and cutting machine provided with hollow spiral Worms and a chambered forming head; a heating medium for the worms and the forinin'g head; a formed butter receiving run-way at the delivery endofthe formi-ng head; and Y e an electric motor for drivingthe worms the combinationof va valve forcoiitrolling the rvflow of the heating medium, ay pivotall` mountedl lever e voperatively connected wit said valve and having al counterweight for automatically moving saidV lever in `one direction; electrically operated means for moving said leverin the opposite direction, anA electric circuit for said electricmo'tor. and said means involving-a limit svvitch; with a tiltably mounted lever beneathfsaid'run-Way, one

end whereotis disposed upwardly into the path of thebutter moving along said run-- way, said lever being adapted Ato-Ycontrol said and to said electrically operated means is liut oiiwhen the traveling butter tilts said ever. il 'i 4. In an automatic butter cuttingV and forming machine vwhereby butter Yis formed into a ribbon and provided with an electric motorfor operatingl the machine, an electric circuit `for the motor involvingswitch mechanism, afrun-way for receiving the formed ribbon of butter, and cutting mechanism for the ribbon of butter; the combination ofa pivoted spring controlled lever operatively con- Vlimit switch, wherebycurrent to thelmot'or nected with the cutting mechanism; a soley loperate the switch mechanism to shut ofi' cur-.

rent to the motor and cause thesolenoid tobe energizedso as toactuate the spring controlled lever and tlierebymovethe cutting ion i mechanism through the path of the ribbon of A butter. y v f Y CHARLESVDOERING.V HENRY l])O ERIl\l(S`r.

Vins 

